No sew blankets – an easy, homemade gift

With the economy the way it is, we’re cutting costs like so many other families are, I’m sure. The holidays are coming up, which inevitably involves gift-giving. Instead of dreading it, I’m prepared! I’ve decided to try to make as many gifts myself as I possibly can.

Maya has a huge Cinderella blanket that she insisted on taking to Grandma’s house last Christmas. In an effort to minimize our luggage, I made her a no-sew fleece blanket with all her favorite princesses printed on it. It was the perfect size to roll up and carry on the plane. At that point I realized just how easy it is to make these blankets, and how delightful a gift they could be.

I LOVE to craft, but I have absolutely no sewing skills. I can’t even sew a button on right. That’s why no sew fleece blankets are so perfect! You don’t need any special skills or fancy equipment – just fleece and scissors, although a ruler would also be useful.

These blankets are not expensive to make. Fleece costs around $4-8 a yard, but you can often find it on sale or use a store coupon. A soft, breathable fabric, fleece is tightly woven, so it won’t fray when cut or washed, making it ideal for a child’s blanket. There are countless fabric print and color combinations to choose from. You can make it all one color, or use a fun pattern on one side and a matching color on the other. For Maya’s blanket, I chose the Disney Princess print for one side, and a lovely, super-soft baby blue for the other side – her favorite color and the exact shade of Cinderella’s ballgown.

Making a no-sew blanket is actually kind of fun, and keeps me busy while I watch TV after the girls are in bed. You can make it any size you want… from a small baby blanket, to a throw as big as your bed. It takes a good two hours to make a big blanket, but the time just flies by. Once you make your first, the subsequent ones are a piece of cake!